December, 2006

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ITU to Mark 100 Years of International Radio Regulations
This year marks the 100th anniversary of what became the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ]Radio Regulations, and the ITU will formally celebrate the occasion later this month. The first International Radiotelegraph Conference gathered 29 maritime states in Berlin, Germany, in November 1906 to sign the "International Radiotelegraph Convention," establishing the principle of compulsory two-way coast-to-ship radio communication and aimed at making it free from harmful interference. The annex to that convention contained the first regulations governing wireless telegraphy. Since expanded and revised by numerous radio conferences, these regulations now are known as the Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union, or simply as the Radio Regulations.

Radio St Helena ready for transmissions
The famous Radio St Helena short wave station is set to resume worldwide transmissions on Sunday 4 November. The station used to run a special annual Radio St Helena Day when it would go out on shortwave across the world. But the last such transmission took place in October 1999, and at that time it seemed doubtful that Radio St Helena Day would ever take place again. However, a group of radio enthusiasts led by Robert Kipp vowed to revive this unique event, and their hard work is now coming to fruition. Construction is progressing on a new shortwave transmission antenna at the station’s base on the island of St Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. The new antenna will allow the station to transmit on 11,092.5kHz USB. Thanks to the new antenna, Radio St Helena will now be able to continue its annual worldwide transmissions indefinitely. Next year will be an extra special shortwave transmission, as it will coincide with the station’s 40th anniversary. You can find out more about the revival of Radio St Helena Day on the web at www.sthelena.se/radioproject

DXpeditioning Basics available as a free ARRL download
Thinking about going on a DXpedition? Then you might want to check out DXpeditioning Basics, by ARRL Membership Services Manager Wayne Mills,N7NG, a DXpedition veteran. The 26 page booklet covers the DXpedition objectives, organization, whom to work, pileup management, QSO mechanics, frustration management, problems, and follow-up. If you have never been on a DXpedition before, this guide will give you some real insight. While DXpeditioning Basics no longer available in print, ARRL offers a free download.

Dueling DXpeditions? Two Groups Set to Descend on Rare Lakshadweep Islands
The second most-wanted DXCC entity, Lakshadweep Islands (VU7) may host two separate DXpeditions during December. A team sponsored by the Amateur Radio Society of India (ARSI) -- the International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) member-society for India -- will operate as VU7LD. A second group, under the auspices of the National Institute for Amateur Radio (NIAR), has announced plans to operate as VU7RG, in honor of the late Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, VU2RG. While the two DXpeditions would have multiple stations on the air simultaneously on various HF bands and modes for at least the first part of December, the Web sites for the respective DXpeditions do not mention the other's planned operation. The Daily DX (and QST "How's DX?") Editor Bernie McClenny, W3UR, cautioned this week that the two highly competitive organizations carefully coordinate their on-air activities, if the DXpeditions to avoid chaos.

Australia selects a new 28 MHz calling frequency
Following dialogue with Australian 28 MHz operators, the Wireless Institute of Australia has allocated a suggested 28 MHz national calling frequency of 28390 kHz. "We received good feedback to our request for a suitable frequency" WIA Director, Glenn Dunstan VK4DU said. "The new frequency, which is outside of the DX segment of the band, will provide a focal point for VK 28 MHz operations" Glenn said.

December, 2006

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